montipora encrusting

[Scouser]

My friend just gave me a chunk of rock covered in Montipora encrusting out of his QT tank.

He placed it high up in my tank because my lighting isn't a strong as his (mines a Wavepoint 24" 20w blue&white)

I'm just wondering if my light can support this? And do I need any supplements.

He gave me a bunch of polyps a few weeks ago and he said they're doing well so maybe this'll be ok too?

 

[bribo12]

What size tank? That light doesn't seem that strong

 

[Scouser]

It's a 59 litre tank, I think that's a round 15gal?

 

[bribo12]

It's a 59 litre tank, I think that's a round 15gal?

You're probably ok then. Just light acclimate it and move it towards the top

 

[Scouser]

Checked this morning and there isn't any sign of colour change or bleaching yet which is a good thing.

Apparently these coral can't catch food to eat because they have small polyps?

Is there anything I should add to my water to keep it heathy?

 

[Scouser]

Here's a pic of the coral this morning.

Not looking good!

 

[mr_X]

Hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like the edges are turning white? If so, that's not from your lighting. What other corals are you keeping? SPS corals are harder to keep than softies and LPS and you may have to keep a closer eye on alkalinity.
What fixture exactly do you have? A T5 fixture?

 

[Scouser]

Yea its turning white.

It's LED 20W half blue/white.

How would I test alkalinity?

 

[mr_X]

You need to purchase an alkalinity test kit. You should at least have the reef master test kit by API-
Aquarium Water Testing: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Reef Master Liquid Test Kit

 

[Scouser]

Ok well I have the standard saltwater test kit but I didn't know I needed these as my friend just dumped the corals on me.

I'll order one now.

Thanks!